By Rich Mancuso/ Sports Editor
So what was going to happen was not with the Mets. The Wilpons sale to Steve Cohen is no more and the questions will continue as to why this deal went the other way.
You see, deals like this are difficult to understand. You put a billionaire hedge funder, Cohen, to the front. And then there are Fred and Jeff Wilpon, who would be in the outfield and looking in within five years.
Of course as of now, a sale of the Mets is a dead issue. The Wilpons will be at Citi Field Opening Day, March 26th. Steve Cohen, with his money, a long time Mets fan, will be among the fans in the seats.
So, Cohen, took off on his yacht and left from Flushing Bay. The Wilpons, they will remain in control and seek another way to sell their interest with the Mets.
But, as one insider said Thursday, “Take away the Mets from Jeff Wilpon and he will be a lost puppy.”
According to that insider, Fred, the elder statesman, could go either way with this. Jeff, with his proficiency to be hated by Mets fans, well he is their biggest fan, He has a difficult time with that inevitable point of no longer having control.
And my friends this is about control. Take away the Mets from Jeff Wilpon, he is that lost puppy.
Have we not seen this mess more than once with the Wilpons ? It’s becoming old news in their so-called quest to sell shares or a majority of them to an outsider.
So, Fred and Jeff Wilpon, Saul Katz, and those in the hierarchy are making the Democrats in Iowa look like wizards. The Mets move on and prepare for the start of the season in 49 days.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, would not fault the Wilpons. And, despite reports, Steve Cohen had minimal influence in day-to-day operations with the Mets.
Could have been another few years before Cohen’s 80 percent and $2.6 billion had any influence on spending. But now it’s back to square one for the Wilpons.
And the prevailing questions, if you can get the answers, do the Wilpons want to sell as part of their Sterling corporation?
“Sterling intends now to pursue a new transaction and has engaged & Company to manage that process.” a statement released by the Mets Thursday afternoon.
Believe the statement if you desire. And any impending sale is not happening anytime soon. This is a process and Major League Baseball is very involved and the proper foundation must be in place.
Steve Cohen, unless a deal can be restructured, he is on the sidelines. “I gave it a shot,” he said.
Not what Mets fans wanted to hear Thursday when this all came down. Social media was buzzing and fans wanted the Wilpons to go. They want an owner who will spend. They want to see that balance go their way when competing with the cross-town Yankees for the big time player.
But, they have to wait. And this time the wait for their dream to rid the Wilpons of control could continue for another five years, because this is how long it takes to assume control of a Major League Baseball franchise.
This is not like purchasing real estate, a new car, or winning the lottery.
Then again, these are the New York Mets and a team with two new managers in a span of three months. Mets fans will say their team never gets anything right and all they want is a winning team.
Enough to digest the past few months with Carlos Beltran here and gone, and Luis Rojas an immediate replacement as the manager. Time to move on and get ready for pitchers and catchers in a few days down in Port St. Lucie.
That is the emphasis for GM Brodie Van Wegenen, manager Luis Rojas and his coaching staff.
Nothing has changed at Citi Field. Front office and Citi Field personnel are going about their business and preparing for Opening Day.
But one thing is certain, the Wilpons are still in control of the Mets. And they are not going on that yacht out of Flushing Bay anytime soon.
Comment: Ring786@aol.com Twitter @Ring786 Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
Follow Us